Trending Now - Former Michigan Coach Chris Partridge Files Lawsuit After Firing

WHO:

Chris Partridge, former Michigan linebackers coach

University of Michigan, its board of regents, athletics director Warde Manuel

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)

Connor Stalions, former university staffer

Tony Petitti, Big Ten commissioner

Jim Harbaugh, then head coach of Michigan

Seattle Seahawks, where Partridge is currently the outside linebackers coach

WHAT:

Chris Partridge filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan, its board of regents, and Warde Manuel on March 11th, 2026.

Partridge was fired on November 17th, 2023, amid an NCAA investigation into sign-stealing allegations.

The lawsuit claims Partridge's termination was unjustified and violated his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process.

Partridge was largely cleared of wrongdoing by the NCAA in 2025, which found that he did not participate in the sign-stealing scheme.

The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial and aims to clear Partridge’s name and reputation.

Partridge stated, “I always believe that the truth will eventually come out.”

The NCAA Committee on Infractions concluded that the case record did not demonstrate that violations occurred against Partridge.

WHERE:

U.S. District Court in Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Seattle, Washington (current location of the Seattle Seahawks)

WHEN:

Partridge was fired on November 17th, 2023.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions made its determination in 2025.

The lawsuit was filed on March 11th, 2026.

WHY:

Partridge alleges he was made a "scapegoat" during the investigation into the sign-stealing scandal.

The lawsuit claims that Partridge was fired for advising a player to seek legal counsel, which he argues was not against any directive.

HOW:

Partridge's lawsuit includes a 46-page complaint detailing the circumstances of his firing and the alleged misinformation spread about him.

The NCAA investigation was prompted by evidence presented on October 18th, 2023, regarding Connor Stalions' actions.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 09:08 UTC)

Chris Partridge, the outside linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks, has filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan, its board of regents, and athletics director Warde Manuel, claiming his termination was unjustified and violated his right to due process. Partridge was fired on November 17, 2023, amid an NCAA investigation into sign-stealing allegations, but he was largely cleared of wrongdoing by the NCAA in 2025, which found no evidence of violations against him. The lawsuit, filed on March 11, 2026, seeks damages and aims to clear his name, with Partridge stating, “I always believe that the truth will eventually come out.”